Over €20,000 raised in Gowl għall-Istrina

This year’s edition of Gowl għall-Istrina, which was held on Monday at the National Stadium, was organised jointly by the MFA, Net TV, One and the Youth FA. This was the third edition of the event which is the brainchild of Replay’s executive producer George Micallef and which was first held in 2009.
All twenty four Premier and First Division League clubs contributed to this sum as all Premier League clubs forfeited €500 from income through gate money to raise the coffers of Gowl għall-Istrina while First Division clubs donated €250 each for a total of €6,000 and €3,000 respectively. Furthermore, squad players and coaches from all clubs were all encouraged to make donations. Team captains presented their donations to the President of the Republic before the start of the triangular tournament.

On his arrival, Dr George Abela delivered a short speech in which he thanked the organisers for bringing together sports and solidarity and explained the work done by the Community Chest Fund towards those in need. He left Ta’ Qali on board a helicopter.

Clinton Buhagiar from One TV’s L-Argument and Christian Micallef from Net TV’s Replay proceeded with the kick-off of the triangular tournament. The Premier League Foreign Selection emerged as winners.

The matches were controlled by Fyodor Zammit, Esther Azzopardi and Paul Caruana respectively with Roberto Vella and Duncan Sultana as assistant referees.

Besides being a fund-raising activity this year, the event also marked the 30th anniversary since when football was first played at the National Stadium.

Thirty football personalities who left their mark in some way or another over the past thirty years were in fact honoured by the Malta Football Association. The thirty personalities who were honoured are:

2011 – Roderick Briffa Footballer of the Year with Valletta2010 – Shaun Bajada Footballer of the Year with Birkirkara2009 – Clayton Failla Footballer of the Year with Hibernians2008 – Kevin Sammut Footballer of the Year with Marsaxlokk2007 – Gilbert Agius Footballer of the Year with Valletta. Also won the award in 1996/97 and 2000/01

2006 – Tony Bezzina Hibernians FC president for 33 years. Won the Premier League 5 times and the FA Trophy four times in the past 30 years including the double in the first season at Ta’ Qali (1981/82)2005 – Andrew Cohen Footballer of the Year with Hibernians2004 – Stefan Giglio Footballer of the Year with Sliema Wanderers2003 – Michael Mifsud National Team Top Scorer2002 – Adrian Mifsud Footballer of the Year with Hibernians

2001 – Joe Caruana Curran Valletta FC President who won the largest number of Premier League titles (six) and FA Trophies (six). Valletta won the six honours at stake that season.2000 – Ernest Barry Footballer of the Year with Sliema Wanderers1999 – Nicky Saliba Footballer of the Year with Valletta. Also won the award in 1991/92.1998 – Mario Muscat Footballer of the Year with Hibernians1997 – Edward Aquilina Former coach of Valletta and Sliema Wanderers. Won the Premier League twice and the FA Trophy three times with Valletta, the Premier League three times and the FA Trophy once with Sliema.

1996 – Noel Turner Footballer of the Year with Sliema Wanderers. Also won the award in 2002/03.1995 – Michael Woods Footballer of the Year with Hibernians1994 – Silvio Vella Footballer of the Year with Rabat Ajax1993 – Joe Brincat Footballer of the Year with Hamrun Spartans1992 – Stefan Sultana Top-scorer of all-times in the Premier League with 195 goals.

1991 – Raymond Vella Footballer of the Year with Hamrun Spartans in 1990/91 and 1998/99.1990 – Michael Degiorgio Footballer of the Year with Hamrun Spartans1989 – Charles Scerri Footballer of the Year with Hibernians1988 – John Buttigieg Footballer of the Year with Sliema Wanderers1987 – David Carabott Made his debut for the national team in 1987 and went on to become the most-capped player with 122 matches.

1986 – Carmel Busuttil Footballer of the Year with Rabat Ajax. Also won the award in 1982/831985 – Leonard Farrugia Footballer of the Year with Valletta1984 – Charles Muscat Footballer of the Year with Zurrieq1983 – Victor Tedesco President of Hamrun Spartans with whom he won four Premier League titles and six FA Trophies.1982 – Ernest Spiteri Gonzi Footballer of the Year with Hibernians

Five other personalities were presented with mementoes as special recognition for their achievements. These were:

Carmel Farrugia A player of Zurrieq who scored the first goal in the first match at the National Stadium.

Twanny Agius The referee who controlled the first FA Trophy final at the National Stadium: Hibernians vs Sliema Wanderers which was played on the 23rd May.

Paul Spiteri Valletta vice-president who is the longest serving committee member in the local football scene.

Victor Mintoff A referee who controlled four FA Trophy finals at the National Stadium.

Charles Agius A referee who controlled four FA Trophy finals at the National Stadium.